Kent Spirit of the Year
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PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A PAID ENTRY CATEGORY AND IS NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC VOTING.
Who should enter? Producers and distillers of any spirit produced in Kent. This includes gin, vodka, whisky, rum, brandy and any other spirit distilled or produced by a Kent-based business. All styles and varieties are welcome.
How will this category be judged? Every entry is blind taste tested by a panel of expert judges drawn from across the food and drink sector, including chefs, buyers and food writers - and every entrant receives feedback from the panel.
How much does it cost to enter? Entry fees are £30 plus VAT for Produced in Kent members and £50 plus VAT for non-members.
Judging criteria: Character, taste, appearance, aroma and drinkability. Judges will also consider how the product has been branded and marketed, and any key points of difference that set it apart.
Enter Your Product
About Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich
The Natural Resources Institute (NRI), part of the University of Greenwich, connects world-class research with real-world impact across food, agriculture and sustainability. Based at the University’s Medway campus in Chatham Maritime, we work closely with Kent’s food and drink businesses, while bringing global expertise to local challenges.
Our work spans the full food system, from production and post-harvest handling to food safety, nutrition and waste reduction, helping businesses innovate, improve quality and build resilience.
At the heart of our food innovation offer are two specialist centres:
Medway Food Innovation Centre (MFIC): leveraging advanced capabilities and expertise in alternative proteins, processing technologies, flavour, and sustainable packaging, MFIC delivers cutting-edge research and business support to help the UK food and drink industry innovate and grow.
Produce Quality Centre (PQC): working with growers and supply chains to enhance fresh produce quality, extend shelf life and reduce waste through practical, evidence-based solutions.
We also invest in the future workforce of the sector. Our postgraduate programmes, including MSc Food Innovation and MSc/PGDip Applied Food Safety and Quality Management, combine cutting-edge teaching with hands-on industry experience. With the option of a year-long placement, students gain practical skills across food production, manufacturing, retail and policy, often leading directly to employment within the sector.
Through initiatives such as Growing Kent & Medway, we are helping drive innovation, enterprise and skills across the region.
Supporting the Taste of Kent Awards reflects our commitment to strengthening and celebrating Kent’s thriving food community, championing the producers, businesses and ideas shaping the future of food.
"We are proud to support the Taste of Kent Awards in this landmark 20th year. Kent’s food and drink sector is one of the most innovative and diverse in the UK, and these awards play a vital role in championing the businesses, producers and entrepreneurs driving that success. At NRI, we are committed to supporting sustainable, forward-looking food systems, and it’s inspiring to celebrate the talent and enterprise that continue to shape the future of the sector here in Kent and beyond."
Professor Nazanin Zand, Acting Director at the Natural Resources Institute
